Independent Contractor Aerospace Engineering Consultant Jobs

At AeroTEC, we help companies around the world design, test and certify everything from aerodynamic modifications to clean sheet aircraft, including hybrid/electric, hydrogen technology, supersonic, and eVTOLs, giving our team exposure to some of the industry’s most innovative and challenging work.

About the Team

At AeroTEC, help companies around the world design, test and certify everything from aerodynamic modifications to clean sheet aircraft, including hybrid/electric, hydrogen technology, supersonic, and eVTOLs, giving our team exposure to some of the industry’s most innovative and challenging work.

AeroTEC’s Engineering Services Division supports and provides comprehensive, full-service aerospace engineering services to customers in aircraft design and certification. The Engineering Services team is responsible for providing engineering consulting services related to experimental aircraft development, aerodynamic performance, avionics systems integration, structural modification, and airworthiness processes to meet customer needs. The expertise of the team covers several areas including Flight Sciences, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Powerplant & FIFA, Air Systems, Cabin Safety, Structures and Liaison Engineering.

About the Role

AeroTEC is seeking an experienced and motivated Certification Engineer III to join our team. This pivotal role will serve as a key player within the company, driving our aircraft certification efforts and collaborating with regulatory authorities, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of aircraft regulatory certification processes, a proven track record of engagement with the FAA, and extensive familiarity with relevant regulations and advisory material. This individual will be instrumental in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of airworthiness and compliance. 

This role requires the significant exercise of independent discretion and judgment in matters of significance.

In This Role You Will:

•    Lead and manage all aspects of aircraft product certification projects, from initial planning through final approval, ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets. 
•    Serve as the primary technical liaison and point of contact for key projects with the FAA, fostering strong working relationships and representing the company's interests effectively. 
•    Develop certification strategies tailored to individual projects balancing compliance risk with timelines and budgets, while guiding diverse teams through developing the Certification Basis, Change Product Rule evaluation, Issue Papers, Equivalent Levels of Safety and Exemptions.  
•    Independently prepare, review, and submit certification plans, compliance demonstration data, and other documentation to regulatory authorities. 
•    Interpret aviation product (e.g., 14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27, 29, 33) and operations regulations (e.g. 14 CFR Part 91, 119, 121, 125, 135) and advisory material (e.g. ACs, policies), providing expert guidance to engineering teams on compliance strategies. 
•    Establish and manage relationships with company and consultant Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) and international equivalents, as necessary. 
•    Provide mentorship and technical guidance to cross-functional project teams. 
•    Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices, proactively identifying potential impacts and developing strategies to implement new processes. 
•    Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and flight test teams to integrate certification requirements throughout the product lifecycle. 
•    Support foreign validation efforts and engage with international aviation and military certification authorities as required. 
•    Assist business development teams in scoping certification aspects of new programs or customer proposals.

Skills You Will Bring (Minimum):
Education

•    Four (4) year degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

•    Minimum of 5 years of experience in aircraft certification, with a significant portion focused on FAA certification projects including supplemental type certificate projects. 
•    Demonstrated ability to independently engage with the FAA and navigate complex regulatory processes. 
•    Working knowledge of FAA Order 8110.4, 8110.37, and FAA project sequencing documentation.
•    Extensive knowledge of aircraft regulatory frameworks, including 14 CFR regulations and associated advisory material. 
•    Familiarity with aircraft systems design, testing, and certification.
•    Proven experience in developing certification plans and compliance demonstration. 
•    Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and regulatory information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. 
•    Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. 
•    Strong leadership qualities with a track record of guiding projects and mentoring colleagues. 
•    Experience with requirements software tools (e.g., compliance tracking systems or Jama).
•    Comfortable and effective working in Microsoft Office, able to quickly learn new software and systems.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

•    Experience with foreign validation processes (e.g., EASA, Transport Canada, ANAC, CAAC). 
•    Experience with specific aircraft systems or types relevant to our products (e.g., eVTOL, fixed-wing, rotorcraft, avionics, propulsion systems). 
•    Designated Engineering Representative (DER) authorization or experience working closely with DERs. 

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

•    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time. 
•    The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
•    Infrequent travel required (<10%) to AeroTEC facilities and potential conferences and meetings (flight and automobile travel).   

AeroTEC Ways of Working and Benefits:
At AeroTEC, we are on a mission to Accelerate the Evolution of Aerospace. We lead the market in the integration and testing of sustainable propulsion technologies, pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace.  

AeroTEC is building a culture where personal and professional growth are just as important as business growth. We invest in our people, supporting their career development by offering customized career development plans, in-house learning, mentorship, and up to $5,250.00/year in education reimbursement. 

We are committed to our employee’s well-being, providing Unlimited Time-Off (for salaried employees), employer paid premiums for our employees’ Health coverage (PPO/HDHP plans), Dental, $40,000 Life Insurance Policy, and complementary access to our Employee Assistance and Health Advocate Program’s.
Additional Benefits include (but not limited to): 401(k) and Employer Match for the Employee, Vision, Additional Life Insurance Options, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Cell Phone Cost Reimbursement, Pet Insurance, ID Watchdog, Legal Shield, and Perk Spot Discounts.

Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, at AeroTEC we reward outstanding performance with quarterly bonus schemes (for salaried employees), manager’s bonuses (for management roles), and SIP (for sales positions).  Positions may or may not qualify for sign-on bonus or relocation assistance.  

But we are more than just a team; we’re a family that works hard and plays hard! From AeroTEC AeroTEC’s own Flying Club, Softball League, Seattle Mariners Tickets, to Team Bike Rides, Karting, Golf Scrambles and more. We’re committed to creating a workplace where fun and work are not mutually exclusive!

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required.  “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee.

This Job Description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change, so may the essential functions of this position.